Abstract:

To the many who speak the names of God in different tongues, to the many who view ideas of God in different ways, to those who are courageous enough to doubt the existence of a higher power or powers, to those who are courageous enough to ask the hard questions – let there be peace in the unknowing. Let there be peace in the journey when the journey seems hopeless. Let time work in ways which we do not understand, in ways which are not linear, which are separated yet intertwined. Let us cling to the moments in which we feel the presence of something greater. Let us grasp desperately at straws and through that desperation, find despair. Let us turn despair into hope, and hope into acceptance. Let us wait until we have those moments again.When I first came to Ball State University in the fall of 2004, I intended to major in Telecommunications. Three semesters and countless credit hours later, something changed my mind, something inexplicable came over me in the pouring rain by the Bell Tower. I became a major in the field of Religious Studies. Not to learn the ins-and-outs of any one particular tradition, not to proselytize or evangelize, but to take a greedy sample of as much of the world's religious diversity as I could, inside and outside of the classroom. While here I have furthered a still-limited knowledge of Unitarian Universalist traditions, Christian and Jewish practice, and multiple spiritual ideologies of the Native American people of the southwest. My curiosity has been piqued attempting to understand tenets of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Islam... I have also learned of and studied religions I never before knew existed, such as the Baha'i faith. My own Christian upbringing has come into personal question and close scrutiny numerous times.Honors CollegeBall State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306These four years have passed remarkably quickly, and yet my final steps are anxious ones. I am anxious to complete this phase of my life and move to the next. Because I think it is time that others learned from me, and I from them. Because faith is mystifying, frustrating, and redeeming to so many people in so many places. Because there is so much more in this world to be witnessed, and I am so young, and so able.This book would not be possible without the continuous support of my family. My parents, Hans and Karen Kusserow allowed me the freedom in college to change my mind — a concept I take for granted which is not an option for everyone. I also owe thanks to my fiancee, New Zealand native Joanna Kyle, for forcing me to write on days when I felt like doing absolutely everything but writing — and for showing me through her own vibrancy that same deep spiritual yearning that drew me to the study of religion in the first place. She is my opposite and my equal, my support as I am hers. We meet in the middle as partners. Kanohi ki to kanohi. Finally, gratitude must be expressed and extended to Professor Elizabeth Agnew, my advisor, past professor, and, dare I say it, friend. Her insights and guidance during this sometimes hectic process have been highly appreciated and widely employed in what is (finally) the final product.Let time work in ways which we do not understand, in ways which are not linear, whichare separated yet intertwined. Time, in regard to the creation of this project, has proved to me to be more linear than I had hoped. Time is coming to an End. A New Time is Beginning. As I write this, I have four chapters unwritten, and little time with which to complete them! But that, too, is the point, it is the whole point — that time is precious and fleeting and perhaps infinite inways beyond our knowing. The pieces fit together out of order, the pieces fit together in their own concept of time. The following twelve chapters span a year – from January to December, but the individual stories have been hand-picked from a decade's worth of months and years, of time. Order becomes irrelevant. One of Joanna's brothers puts a damper on family puzzle night by pocketing the last piece just so he can complete the picture at his leisure, and be the one who finishes the project. So read "The Same Hesitant Rhythm" however you wish. Read it "out of order." Read it "in order," it makes no difference – the puzzle will be completed in its own time, in your time, and only you have full charge of how that happens. Taihoa ka kite!